Mariologi Kontekstual: Reorientasi Peran Theotokos dalam Agensi Kepemimpinan Perempuan pada Struktur Sosial Adat Kayan

Abstract

Studies on traditional Mariology commonly fall into Eurocentric narratives, which disproportionately emphasize the figure of Mary from a dogmatic and contemplative stance, thereby frequently reducing her inherent significance to a symbol of passive submission. This study aims to perform a theological reorientation of the role of the Theotokos (Mother of God) within the framework of contextual Mariology, while simultaneously examining its dialectic with the contemporary spiritual agency of women's leadership within the social structure of the Kayan indigenous community in West Kalimantan. Employing a qualitative approach, this research applies descriptive-contextual theological methods along with a sociological analysis of the Kayan indigenous social structure. It delves into how Kayan women articulate their faith amidst indigenous public spheres that often tend to be masculine. The findings indicate that the concept of the Theotokos, when reimagined as a representation of existential courage and an autonomous choice originating from God, serves as a powerful spiritual catalyst for Kayan women's agency. Consequently, Kayan women do not merely perceive themselves as subordinate objects of custom; instead, they operate as active subjects who continuously integrate evangelical values and local wisdom to negotiate strategic leadership roles. This research contributes to the development of contextual feminist theology in Indonesia, while simultaneously offering a sustainable model of reconciliation among ecclesiastical doctrines, gender emancipation, and the preservation of indigenous community structures.